Scabiosa plant named ‘SGIBL01-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Scabiosa  cultivar named ‘SGIBL01-0’ is disclosed, characterized by large, violet colored flowers and unique thick flower stems. The new variety is a  Scabiosa , suitable as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Scabiosa columbaria.

Variety denomination: ‘SGIBL01-0’.

The new Scabiosa cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program by the inventor John Robb, a citizen of Australia. The breeding program was carried out in Kulnura, New South Wales, Australia. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Scabiosa varieties with good characteristics for ornamental purposes.

The new variety resulted from the crossing of the seed parent, an unnamed, unpatented proprietary Scabiosa seedling with the pollen parent, an unnamed, unpatented proprietary Scabiosa seedling on Feb. 1, 2002. The new variety was discovered on Feb. 13, 2003 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2002 crossing, in a commercial greenhouse in Kulnura, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SGIBL01-0’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Kulnura, New South Wales, Australia on Feb. 15, 2003. Subsequently at least five generations have been produced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. After observing the new variety confidentially over multiple seasons, the variety was also propagated in tissue culture, in a controlled laboratory, without access by third parties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SGIBL01-0’ has not observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length and light intensity, without however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SGIBL01-0.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SGIBL01-0’ as a new and distinct Scabiosa cultivar:

-   -   1. Violet colored flowers.     -   2. Distinctive thick flowering stem.     -   3. Large flower size.

COMPARISON TO THE PARENT VARIETIES

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGIBL01-0’ are similar in most horticultural characteristics to plants of the unnamed, unpatented proprietary seed parent. However, the new variety has a larger overall flower size and thicker flower stem than the seed parent. Also the plant is taller than the seed parent. Additionally, ‘SGIBL01-0” produce a darker colored flower than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGIBL01-0’ are similar in most horticultural characteristics to plants of the unnamed, unpatented proprietary pollen parent. However, the new variety has a larger overall flower size and thicker flower stem than the pollen parent. Also the plant is taller than the pollen parent. Additionally, plants of ‘SGIBL01-0’ produce a much darker colored flower than the pollen parent.

COMPARISON TO COMMERCIAL VARIETY

The new cultivar can best be compared to the unpatented commercial variety ‘Butterfly Blue’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGIBL01-0’ are similar in most horticultural characteristics to the unpatented commercial variety ‘Butterfly Blue’. However, the new variety has a larger overall flower size and thicker flower stem than ‘Butterfly Blue’. Also the plant is taller than ‘Butterfly Blue’. Additionally, plants of ‘SGIBL01-0’ produce a darker colored flower than ‘Butterfly Blue’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘SGIBL01-0’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical plant of ‘SGIBL01-0’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 1 gallon commercial pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 20 weeks from a rooted cutting.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurement describe ‘SGIBL01-0’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 12° C. to 30° C. The greenhouse is subject to partial shade. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight with some shade during the brightest part of the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Scabiosa columbaria ‘SGIBL01-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 to 15 days at approximately 20 to     25° C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Mounding to semi trailing. -   Age of the plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from a well     rooted cutting. -   Pot size of plant described: 10 inch basket. -   Height: Approximately 20 cm from soil line to top of foliar plane.     Approximately 55 cm to top of highest flower. -   Plant spread: Approximately 32 cm at widest point. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: Basal rosettes of main stems with smaller     lateral branches. -   Length of primary stems: Approximately 18 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: Average 4. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.         -   Texture.—Highly pubescent, soft, dense, velvety.         -   Strength.—Very strong. -   Internode length: Average range 5 to 12 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Basal rosettes with average 12 leaves.         -   Average length.—Approximately 16.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 5.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Overall shape obovate, pinnatifid.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Dentate.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.         -   Pubescence.—Very short, less than 1 mm hairs, densely             covering top and bottom leaf surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Very slightly undulating, reflexed downward.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137C.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Green 138B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 7.0 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.             Texture: Pubescent.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring and Summer. -   Time to flowering from rooted cutting: Approximately 15 weeks. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Terminal composite     inflorescence, round, with numerous complete flowers. Outer flowers     larger than the inner flowers. Approximately 20 large and 80 smaller     flowers per inflorescence. -   Rate of flower opening: Approximately 2 weeks from bud to fully     opened flower. -   Inflorescence longevity on plant: At least 2 weeks before any     significant change is observed. Individual flower become dry,     without significant color change. -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: Approximately 20 mature     and immature inflorescence per plant. -   Flowers: Persistent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter of entire inflorescence.—Approximately 7.0 cm.         -   Depth of inflorescence.—Approximately 2.9 cm.         -   Inner cushion diameter.—Approximately 4.0 cm.         -   Receptacle shape.—Dome.         -   Receptacle height.—Average 0.5 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—Average 1.2 cm.         -   Receptacle color.—Near RHS Green 143D. -   Individual flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Sphere.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C. -   Large outer flowers:     -   -   Average size.—Length: 2.1 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.         -   Upper petals (upper lip).—Number: 2, fused together at base.             Length: 0.7 cm. Width: 0.5 cm. Shape: Obicular. Margin:             Entire. Texture: Glabrous, matte. Color: When opening: Upper             surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91B. Lower surface: RHS Violet-Blue             91B. Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91A. Lower             surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91B.         -   Lower petals (lower lip).—Quantity: 3. Length: 2.2 cm.             Width: 2.4 cm. Shape: Spatulate, all 3 petals fused together             at base. Apex shape: Obtuse, with minutely shallow lobes.             Color: When opening: Upper surface: RHS Violet 86B with             center blotch near Purple-Violet N80A. Lower surface: RHS             Violet-Blue 90D with center blotch near Violet-Blue 91B.             Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue 90D. Lower             surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91A.         -   Throat.—Length: 1.4 cm. Width: 0.25 cm. Texture: glabrous,             shiny. Color: Near Violet-Blue 91D, inner and outer             surfaces.         -   Bracteole.—Quantity: 6 per flower. Length: Average 0.7 cm.             Diameter: less than 0.1 cm. Shape: Linear. Texture:             Glabrous, shiny. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue N92A. -   Smaller inner flowers:     -   -   Average size.—Length: 0.9 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.         -   Upper petals (upper lip).—Number: 2, fused together at base.             Length: 0.5 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Shape: Obicular, irregular,             often deformed. Margin: Entire or ruffled. Texture:             Glabrous, matte. Color: When opening: Upper surface: RHS             Violet N88D. Lower surface: RHS Violet N88D. Fully opened:             Upper surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91C, margin Violet N88C.             Lower surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91C, margin Violet N88C.         -   Lower petals (lower lip).—Quantity: 3. Length: 0.3 cm.             Width: 0.2 cm. Shape: Obicular, irregular, often deformed.             Apex shape: Obtuse, with minutely shallow lobes. When             opening: Color: When opening: Upper surface: RHS Violet             N88D. Lower surface: RHS Violet N88D. Fully opened: Upper             surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91C, margin Violet N88C. Lower             surface: RHS Violet-Blue 91C, margin Violet N88C.         -   Throat.—Length: 0.4 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Texture: glabrous,             shiny. Color: Near Violet-Blue 91D, inner and outer             surfaces.         -   Bracteole.—Quantity: 6 per flower. Length: Average 0.6 cm.             Diameter: less than 0.1 cm. Shape: Linear, hair-like.             Texture: Glabrous, shiny. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue N92A. -   Flower color fading: No noticeable color change observed. -   Phyllaries/involucral bracts:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—Average 15.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.35 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Pubescent, all surfaces.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface:             Near RHS Green 137A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Longest average 33 cm. Shortest average 5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.45 cm.         -   Texture.—Densely pubescent. Hairs moderately stiff,             appressed.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138A.         -   Orientation.—Approximately 45 degree angle from stem.             Moderate undulation. -   Fragrance: Faint, slightly sweet.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Reproductive organs identical in both size flowers: -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—4.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.3 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Color.—Near RHS Purple 76D.         -   Pollen.—Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Purple             76D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Near RHS Purple 76D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistant nor susceptible to normal     diseases and pests of Scabiosa. -   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 3-9. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Scabiosa plant named ‘SGIBL01-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 